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Senator Jim Inhofe Casts Vote to Confirm Dr. Scott Gottlieb as the new Commissioner of the FDA
Tue, 09 May 2017 17:06:33 CDT
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today voted to confirm Dr. Scott Gottlieb as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He was confirmed by the Senate.
"Dr. Gottlieb is a great fit to lead FDA," Inhofe said. "His confirmation ensures the successful rollout of the Republican-led Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) and 21st Century Cures Act, which were passed last Congress and will address the opioid crisis and streamline the FDA to encourage more innovation and research for cures of life-threatening diseases. The successful implementation of both of these laws is particularly important for Oklahoma, which has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic, seeing at least 2,684 opioid overdose deaths in the past three years. The FDA is now in capable hands and I look forward to working with Dr. Gottlieb on these important issues."
Background
The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) was signed into law July 22, 2016. It expands the availability of naloxone, which can counter the effects of a heroin or opioid overdose, to law enforcement agencies and other first responders; improves prescription drug monitoring programs to help states monitor and track prescription drug diversion; develops best practices for pain management in the Department of Veteran's Affairs; and shifts resources towards identifying and treating incarcerated people who are suffering from addiction, rather than just punishment as is often the case currently.
The 21st Century Cures Act was signed into law Dec. 13, 2016 and provides $4.8 billion in new funding to the National Institute of Health (NIH), increased funding for Alzheimer's and cancer research and provides $1 billion in grants to states to fight the opioid abuse epidemic.
Source - the Office of Sen. Jim Inhofe
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